Kim A.
I'm a youngster of 43 who's had an addiction to food since I was a child. From the moment my mom caught me putting milk in my ice cream at the age of about 5 (or was it 8 or 9?) and let me know (angrily) that my "behind was wide enough already", I have over the years become a "food-a-holic."
At the age of 14, mom took me to weight watchers, and then to a weight loss "clinic" where I ate 700 calories, 25 carbohydrates a day. I lost 30 pounds on that diet. I was only 160 when I got started and had I known then what I know now, I would have just tried to stay at 160. Diet after diet after diet after that experience, balooned me into the 200's.
At the age of 33 I realized my dream of breast reduction surgery. Whooo weee!!! Dolly Parton had NOTHING on me! 
I was an "H" cup! (Trust me, I didn't know H existed either til I got sized for it one day.)
I lost about 15 or 20 pounds before breast reduction surgery, and after surgery lost another 30 or 40 pounds. I met a guy, fell in love, and he broke my heart. The compulsive eating returned and didn't stop. I figured, why bother? I'd lost and gained so many times before, I was through trying to diet.
But a part of me wasn't satisfied with that decision. And I knew God had something better for me and loved me too much to see me destroy myself.
So, one day I walked myself into therapy at the Renfrew Center of NY that specializes in treating women with eating disorders. I had to come to the realization that I didn't just like to eat, I actually had an eating disorder.
Being in therapy gave me the courage to face myself, feel my feelings, and to do something about my weight permanently.
One of the ladies in the center recommended that I check out Dr. Christine Ren, and I subsequently attended one of Dr. Ren's information sessions on lap band surgery. After the session, my mind was made up. Surgery was for me!
I told my husband, and I told my mother, both of whom I thought would flip out. But surprisingly, I have each one's full support, and hubby is willing to stay open to surgery for himself as well.
So there ya have it. That's my story. If you can relate, feel free to comment. Blessings!
